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Oklo Resources extends Seko at depth with hits of up to 8.16 g/t gold

Published: 02:13 17 Dec 2020 GMT

Oklo Resources Ltd - Oklo Resources extends Seko at depth with hits of up to 8.16 g/t gold
All three drill rigs are now working on double shifts to increase the daily drilling rate.

Oklo Resources Ltd (ASX:OKU) (FRA:JYA) has received encouraging initial results from 2021 field season drilling at the flagship Dandoko Project in Mali which have returned up to 8.2 g/t gold and extended Seko deposit at depth.

The deep step-out holes to a vertical depth of at least 325 metres have intersected gold mineralisation in fresh rock, which confirm a primary source.

High-grade results

Assay results have been received from the first six deep diamond (DD) holes spaced over a 350-metre strike length at SK1 North.

Gold mineralisation associated with wide zones of hydrothermal alteration hosting individual grades of up to 8.16 g/t gold has been returned.

Highlights:

  • 22 metres at 1.28 g/t gold from 341 metres, including 3 metres at 3.55 g/t and 1-metre at 8.16 g/t;
  • 19 metres at 1 g/t from 317 metres;
  • 6 metres at 1.68 g/t from 287 metres, including 3 metres at 2.97 g/t; and
  • 2 metres at 5.05 g/t from 273 metres.

“Highly encouraging”

Oklo’s managing director Simon Taylor said: “The results from our six first exploratory diamond holes testing SK1 North at depth are highly encouraging.

“Importantly, they have confirmed a potential root zone to the extensive oxide gold mineralisation extending along the circa 3-kilometre SK1 North-Koko trend.

“The hydrothermal alteration also exhibits strong similarities to other large gold systems in the region.”

Prolific region

These include B2Gold Corp’s(TSE:BTO) 7.1 million-ounce Fekola project about 30 kilometres to the west and Barrick Gold Corp’s (NYSE:GOLD) 12.5-million-ounce Loulo complex about 50 kilometres northwest.

Taylor said: “With the Seko gold system remaining very much open at depth, we look forward to further unlocking its potential in the ongoing 2021 drilling program.

“Drilling is now focusing on extensions to the shallow oxide gold mineralisation at SK1 South with a further 29 holes completed and awaiting further assays.”

SK1 North

Oklo previously outlined extensive oxide-hosted gold mineralisation along around 3 kilometres of the SK1 North-Koko trend to depths of more than 200 metres.

All holes drilled at the trend intersected wide zones of hydrothermal alteration and gold mineralisation in fresh rock.

The deep drilling has successfully confirmed a root zone to the SK1 North gold system within fresh rock.

Further planned drilling will test the potential for high-grade plunging shoots at depth as seen at the nearby Fekola and Yalea gold deposits.

All holes are being logged for structural and geological information to assist in the planning of the next phase of deep drilling.

SK1 South results

At SK1 South, 600 metres to the south, the first RC pre-collar targeting oxide and potential primary zone gold mineralisation returned:

  • 10 metres at 2.42 g/t from 47 metres, including 2 metres at 6.69 g/t; and
  • 11 metres at 1.14 g/t from 74 metres.

Assays are pending from deeper DD portion of this hole.

Ongoing work

Oklo started an initial 15,000-metre drilling program in late October intending to complete the program by year-end, with the results to be used in finalising a maiden mineral resource estimate.

Three drill rigs were drilling on the program, predominantly targeting the 3 kilometres SK1 North-Koko trend at Seko, which remains open at depth and along strike.

One rig has been fully operational since the start of the program, however, the second experienced ongoing mechanical issues while mobilisation of the third from the Ivory Coast and clearance through customs was delayed.

The setback in drilling progress has pushed the expected completion of the resource estimate into next quarter and this is subject to the timely receipt of assay results over the Christmas-New Year period.

Drilling is now progressing satisfactorily, with all three rigs fully operational and working on double shifts to increase the daily metre rate.

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